High school students start petition to stop new Myrtle Beach parking fees
Myrtle Beach, S.C. (WPDE) — Students at Carolina Forest High School are hoping to "Free the Beach."
They started a petition asking Myrtle Beach City Council Members to change their minds about new parking fees.
"It's going to move tourism away from us if they don't want to come down and pay for the beach," said Bailey Provencal, Carolina Forest High School senior.
This summer, to park in the beach access lots, it'll cost $4 an hour or $20 a day.
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"Most people don't really have money to pay for that. So we decided if a lot of people have the same opinion as us then something might change," said Jessie Vanadia, a Carolina Forest High School senior.
These students learned to take a stand in their AP Government class.
"People don't believe that they can make a difference and if we can make a difference on one little thing like this, we'll be able to move on to bigger things that we can try and make a difference and show people that they can also make a difference," said Alyna Estes, Carolina Forest High School senior.
Related - New parking rules could be coming to Myrtle Beach
The AP Government teacher, JJ Iagulli, said he's proud of the work his students have been doing and hope it continues.
"Just that kind of civil discourse is a big part of what they learn so I'm excited to see their passion about this and they want to see a change, but they're also willing to hear the other side and that's a big step in their development," said Iagulli.
The petition was posted Friday and had 1,000 signatures by the end of the night. Their goal is to reach 5,000 signatures.
"Hopefully we'll just keep the numbers rolling in," said Rebecca Kane, Carolina Forest High School senior.
"There is more of a majority outside the city of Myrtle Beach anyways, so we are the majority. Our voice should be heard either way," said Kane.
Mayor John Rhodes, the Mayor of the city of Myrtle Beach, disagrees.
"We had to take care of our residents first. These are the people that pay the taxes that help keep this beach going. Pay to keep the streets going. People in the Carolina Forest area have a Myrtle Beach address, but they're not part of the city of Myrtle Beach. So when they think the taxes they pay go to Myrtle Beach, no, they go to the county. The facts are, they do not pay taxes that go to the city of Myrtle Beach," said Rhodes.
Rhodes did say there is one thing he will consider.
"I'd like to see us keep it the same in all the city, all up in the city, and not have a higher rate like it is. Go back to the ten dollar day rate. I think that's very fair. I think it would be fair to the people who live outside the city limits of Myrtle Beach," said Rhodes.
Rhodes said the parking change is not to make money. It's to help the people who live in the area and have cars parking in their yards during the summer.
City council is trying to get people to park somewhere that can handle it, like downtown.
Mark Kruea, the spokesperson for the City of Myrtle Beach, said there is no set date to enforce the parking fees.
He said it will be happening this summer, but it takes a few weeks to get everything set up.
